Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Headquarters 15 Scottish Division

Citation:
"Lt. Wirth, Royal Netherlands Army, was attached to 15 (S) Inf Division throughout the campaign in North West Europe, and performed a number of most gallant acts. When attached to 9 CAMERONIANS on 10 Jul 44, he entered the village of ETERVILLE with the forward elements, while there were still many enemy in the orchards and houses, and while the shelling was intense. In full view of the enemy, he entered an important enemy HG, and recovered many important documents, including their order of battle. At CAUMONT on 30 Jul 44, he arrived on the objective of SEPT VENTS well ahead of Bn Tac HQ, and was in a position to give the commanding Officer most useful information about the position of the enemy and our own troops.
In Nov 44, he was attached to HQ 46 (H) Inf Bde, which was holding the line opposite BLERICK. It was believed that the defences were always manned by the enemy in daylight, but Lt WIRTH personally reached the line of the enemy wire, whilst dending Dutch agents into the enemy lines to obtain information.
For the last six months of the campaign, Lt WIRTH was attached to HQ 15 (S) Inf Division as Senior Dutch Liaison Officer. Throughout this period his conduct was one of intense enthusiasm and hard work. He was tireless in his efforts to obtain information of value to the British interrogation of PW, collection of captured documents, and by liaison with French, Belgian and Dutch underground movements. The results achieved, often at great personal risk, were of great value to the Allied cause."

British Royal approval dated 28 November, 1945
Permission granted to accept and wear by Royal Decree no ? dated 20 March, 1946.

WO 373/155/480